Gateway LLEN Staff
Cate
Thompson - Executive Office
Cate
Thompson has been involved in a range of organisations that
specifically focused on improving educational opportunities for
young people, especially for those who are at risk of or already
disengaged in education. She was a key drives in the development of
a range of alternative learning programs some of which include
ReTALE, HEAT and community VCAL. programs. As the Executive
Officer of Gateway LLEN, she leads a dynamic and enthusiastic team
who successfully work with local community, education, service
organisation and businesses establishing partnerships that have,
and will continue, to create improved opportunities for young
people within the Gateway region.
Olivia
Matthee - Senior Project Officer
Olivia Parker has an
extensive varied background in youth services, Vocational Education
and Training and community education. As a qualified Youth
Worker, Trainer and Counsellor, Olivia recognises the
enormous benefits in ensuring young people remain connected to
their families and communities along with education, employment and
training.
Olivia’s career
started by undertaking a Certificate II Traineeship in Business
Office Administration in the HR department at Box Hill
Institute. Whilst undertaking the Traineeship Olivia
undertook a night course in Youth Work 2 nights per week and
obtained her Certificate IV qualification, which enabled her to
work within a refugee. Before starting at the refugee, Olivia
completed her traineeship in Administration to the Certificate III
level.
Whilst working within
the refugee Olivia soon started to understand that a lot of the
barriers Young People faced often began whilst they were still at
School. Given this knowledge, her recent Youth Work
Qualification and her experience working within the TAFE
environment Olivia took a position back at Box Hill Institute
Coordinating the School Programs. Olivia held this position
for 4 years and in that time completed a Degree in Social Science,
majoring in counselling via distance learning. Olivia also
attended class one day per week on Saturday’s for 2 months and
completed the Certificate IV in Workplace Training and
Assessment.
Olivia then went on to
work for a Local Community Partnership, an initiative funded by the
Federal Government, this allowed Olivia to create programs and
partnerships, not only with TAFE but with Employers and Community
Agencies supporting and bridging the gap that often exists for
young people making a smooth transition from school to work or to
further education and training. As part of this initiative Olivia
completed the Australian Career Development Studies (Certificate IV
in Employment Services)
Currently Olivia is
employed by Gateway Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) as
a senior project officer. Working closely with the state
department of Education implementing the “Youth Commitment”.
This commitment works to ensure that no young person will become
disengaged from their school or community.
Bronwen
Henry - Project Officer - Transitions
Joining the Gateway
LLEN team in January 2010, Bronwen has worked as a frontline case
manager in a variety of roles, most recently youth work.
Bronwen’s experience working with “at-risk” young people, schools
and community groups places her in an ideal position to take on the
role of Project Officer - Transitions.
Bronwen holds a
Diploma in Youth Work and a Diploma in Health Counselling and has
recently developed and facilitated a self-esteem program for young
women in the Outer Eastern suburbs.
Luke
Hayden - Industry Liaison
Luke
has worked extensively in the trades area, process manufacturing
and Sales/marketing. He has a certificate IV in Workplace Training
and Assesment, Certificate IV in Small Business Management and is
currently studying his Diploma of OH&S. A “Jack” of all, master
of some, his unique combination of skills has seen him develop his
own small business ,The Lollie Lab, which sees Luke being invited
into Victorian secondary schools, via VCAL, to allow students the
hands on operation of their own mobile confectionary manufacturing
and marketing business.
Melissa
Brown - Administration
Melissa Brown was
employed by Gateway LLEN early September 2004 while undertaking a
traineeship in business administration. She started her studies on
Certificate II and then moved on to Certificate III and completed
in August 2007.
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